Major Areas :: Dryland Agriculture

Major Areas :: Dryland Agriculture :: Mulching

Introduction

The technique of mulching is the easiest practice that you can undertake for your garden that will produce unimaginable results. Mulch comes in two basic forms; organic and non-organic. The most frequent items used in organic mulching are grass, straw and bark. While the most frequently used items in non- organic mulching are stones, small chips of brick and even plastic. Taking the mulching task into your own hands can save you huge costs compared to having it done professionally. The materials that are required for organic mulching can be created without any cost to you so all you are really paying for is the labour to spread the mulch.

Why mulch?

Agriculture with mulch in the tropics promotes plant health and vigour. Mulching improves nutrient and water retention in the soil, encourages favourable soil microbial activity and worms, and suppresses weed growth. When properly executed, mulching can significantly improve the well-being of plants and reduce maintenance as compared to bare soil culture. Mulched plants have better vigour and, consequently, have improved resistance to pests and diseases.

What materials to use for mulching?

Organic residue: grass clippings, leaves, hay, straw, comfrey, shredded bark, whole bark nuggets, sawdust, shells, woodchips, shredded newspaper, cardboard, wool, but also manure (cow), etc.

Mulch Materials
Material	Amount to apply	Notes
Bark mulch	2-4 inches	Smaller chips are easier to spread, especially around small plants. Excellent for use around trees, shrubs, and perennial gardens. When spreading mulch around trees, keep the mulch an inch or two away from the trunk. A couple inches of mulch is adequate. There is no need to apply the mulch 6 or 8 inches high, as often is seen.
Wood chips	2-4 inches	Similar to bark mulch. If using fresh wood chips that are mixed with a lot of leaves, composting may be beneficial.
Leaves	3-4 inches	Best to chop and compost before spreading. If using dry leaves, apply about 6 inches.
Grass clippings	2-3 inches	Thicker layers tend to compact and rot, becoming quite slimy and smelly. Add additional layers as clippings decompose. Do not use clippings from lawns treated with herbicides.
Newspaper	1/4 inch	Apply sheets of newspaper and cover lightly with grass clippings or other mulch material to anchor. If other mulch materials are not available, cover edges of paper with soil. Applying on a windy day can be a problem.
Compost	3-4 inches	Excellent material for enriching soil.